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Kobe Paras will be part of the Philippine team to Indonesia. Rick Dela Cruz (file photo) |
By Ivan Saldajeno
MANILA--Gilas cadets Kobe Paras, Ricci Rivero, and Abu Tratter were added to the national team that will play in Jakarta for the Asian Games from Aug. 18-Sept. 2.
The young guns will join the core of TNT and resident Gilas naturalized player Andray Blatche in the said multi-sports event held every four years.
In the original proposal, two cadets will make the final cut.
But on why Coach Chot Reyes, who first revealed the roster to ESPN 5, decided to bring in three cadets, he said that he opted to decline Alaska's offer of lending Carl Cruz--or any other Alaska player as previously agreed upon--to the team.
Meanwhile, Anthony Semerad replaced RR Garcia in the Asian Games lineup.
Garcia was originally named to the KaTropa players who will play for Gilas in the Asian Games.
[Related Story: TNT-led Gilas to play in Asian Games]
But in the final lineup, Semerad took over his spot to add some more ceiling to the team.
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